Marie Escobar

Didn't really expect to be crying in the middle of the day, but the powerful performances of the actors really moved me. Discussing women's issues that are tales as old as time, it still very much resonate today. It's a show I would recommend for everyone to see, and a show I myself would love to watch again.

You want a dark comedy, here's a dark comedy. A well-produced show with a great set, lighting, writing, and acting. The two actors were phenomenal and had undeniable chemistry. Loved the twists and turns that the story had.

Babe, wake up, Straight Edge Theatre has a new musical! This is my pick of the fringe this year. If I can give gazillion stars 🌟, I would gladly give it all the stars. Safe to say I am a big fan of Seth Gilfillan and Stephen Allred's works -- Cult Cycle, Imaginary Friend, Conjoined, Krampus, and now Final Girl. And with the resurgence of horror flicks this year, the theme of the musical is so timely. Full disclosure, as a monthly donor to the Fringe, I got early access to ticket sales, and this is one of the first tickets I bought because I knew for sure it will be soldout.

“The Pansy Cabaret” by the ultra-talented Lilith Fair. I’ve seen the show a few years back when it was performed in a much bigger stage. This year, it’s at a very intimate space at the Grindstone Theatre, and it made it n-times more impactful. Part of “The Lavender Song” describes it best “PROUD and UNAFRAID”. It’s a great reminder of how the queer community had their voice during the Pansy Craze, and how that voice was taken away at the end of prohibition, and how with the current state of the world, that voice is in peril again. Highly entertaining and yet thought-provoking, this is a show that I would love seeing again and again.

Every year, I always say you can never go wrong with Guys in Disguise. This year, we join preteens Flora and Fiona as they face their fears and have their friendship tested. I giggled and laughed all throughout, and the ending warmed my heart. The commentaries on current events and how they're treated are also very much welcome. There's a reason why whatever their offering is each Fringe is soldout.

With everything that's happening in the world, doesn't it feel like we're all ticking time bombs? With an amazing cast, it showed us how it's difficult to stay sane when the world seems always in the verge of blowing up. This dark comedy portrayed stress and anxiety in a whole different level.

I discovered burlesque at the Edmonton Fringe, and eversince, I try to see their offering yearly at the festival. It's a different kind of storytelling, an art that's truly captivating. I always admire how the stories are woven, and how much work goes into everything - the movements, the costumes, etc. And since I'm a horror girlie, I really had to see this year's show. And once again, I ooh'd and aah'd at all elements that made up the fantastic show.

Damon Pitcher is an amazing storyteller that led us through Ray's life throughout a zombie apocalypse. The show is so much fun. Recommending people to go give it a chance and see it.